Satellite remote sensing to support management of irrigation systems: Concepts and approaches

Remote sensing techniques are becoming powerful tools for efficient management of irrigation systems in large irrigated areas. The objectives of management of irrigation systems, although they vary widely, may be defined as high crop productivity per unit land per unit applied water with equity in distribution. Some of the key elements of irrigation system management are: (i) performance monitoring and evaluation, (ii) diagnostic appraisal, (iii) action research, and (iv) farmers' participation. The objective of this paper is to present the state of the art on applications of satellite remote sensing that support management of irrigation systems and to identify emerging approaches that focus on future directions of research which may pave the way to operationalise the remote sensing techniques in practice. Firstly, a brief review on different approaches being utilized for management of irrigation systems is dealt with. Subsequently, the present status of remote sensing applications in irrigated agriculture is reviewed. The paper also presents future perspectives of remote sensing applications in determining hydrological variables and quantifying irrigation system performance indicators for better management of water use in irrigated agriculture. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.